Group that called on Regent Wallace Hall to step down wants to ‘move forward’

A year ago, the Texas Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education called on University of Texas System Regent Wallace L. Hall Jr. to resign, saying he had become “a toxic distraction.”

The group of civic, business and education leaders stopped short of repeating that call — although it didn’t rescind it, either — on Tuesday, after a Travis County grand jury’s scathing critique of Hall’s actions was released. The grand jury declined to indict the regent, as my colleague Tony Plohetski and I reported in this story.

The coalition said it wants “move forward.” Here is the full statement it released:

“We respect the grand jury’s legal process and its findings, including its decision and statements. This confirms the Texas Legislature was right to exercise its oversight authority and look into Regent Hall’s actions. This report shows that Regent Hall’s actions were not appropriate, permissible or in keeping with best practices for public officials. Now is the time to move forward – new regents have been appointed and approved, a new president for UT Austin has been designated and the new chancellor clearly wants to move the UT System forward. It is our hope that all have learned from this experience and will join the Chancellor in a spirit of collaboration, cooperation and excellence, and work to advance opportunities for all students within the UT System.”

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